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WORDfest is coming!

We’re going to celebrate words in their many forms at Wordfest on Friday and Saturday, September 27-28, in venues throughout downtown Springfield. Free events will feature wordsmiths of all kinds – authors, songwriters and poets – on stage and in workshops for all ages.

This author of 21 books also co-authored “To Marry an English Lord,” which helped inspire TV series creator Julian Fellowes to write the PBS hit, “Downton Abbey.”

As the series enters its fourth season, you’re invited to enjoy “An Edwardian Evening” with Wallace from 7-10 p.m. Friday, September 27, at the Veridian, 309 South Ave. The night includes English sweets and savories, and prizes courtesy of Between Friends Gift Shops and Ozarks Public Television, which airs “Downton Abbey.” She will also sell and sign her book.

Tickets are required for this event; seating is limited. Tickets are $20 for students and $25 for non-students, and are available at the Library Center, Brentwood Branch and Park Central Branch libraries. Limit eight tickets per person. Cash or check only. For information call 616-0564 or 616-0566.

“To Marry an English Lord” is the nonfiction account of American heiresses who moved to England around the turn of the century to marry into the British aristocracy. Wallace co-wrote the book in the 80s, and it was republished in 2012 after “Downton Abbey” creator Fellowes noted it was one of his inspirations.

7- 9 p.m., old Fox Theater on the Square, Wordfest – The Celebration. The major Wordfest authors will read from one of their works, be interviewed individually and rejoin for a Q&A session with the audience.

The MSU shuttle service will be provided from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Park Central Square and Brick City.

Wordfest is a project of the Library, with grants from the Missouri Humanities Council and the Missouri Literary Festival; and several community partners including Ozarks Public Television and the College of Arts and Letters, Missouri State University